The Green Bay Packers have high hopes for new safety Xavier McKinney, and they’re not the only ones expecting big things from him in 2024.
Alex Ballentine with Bleacher Report shared a few hot takes and predictions for the Packers for the upcoming season. The predictions included a handful of bold takes, along with an explanation of why McKinney will make his first Pro Bowl in 2024.
“It all just goes to show how much stock the Packers are putting in McKinney being able to solve their issues at safety,” Ballentine wrote. “Not only did they spend in free agency, but they paid at the top of the market for a non-premium position player…As he rounds into his prime he’s in position to put up an elite season and finally get some Pro Bowl recognition.”
The Packers signed McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract in free agency. That kind of money suggests the Packers are ready for McKinney to be a breakout star.
Xavier McKinney’s Path to Green Bay
He may not have the accolades, but McKinney is still one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Prior to going pro, McKinney was one of the top high school players in Georgia. He enrolled at Alabama, where he developed into a first-team All-SEC player in his final season. He finished the year with 95 total tackles, four forced fumbles, three sacks, and three interceptions.
That versatile skill set helped McKinney get drafted with the 36th pick in 2020. The New York Giants had high hopes for him as a rookie. However, he played in just six games due to a broken foot.
McKinney found his groove in 2021. He finished the year with a career-high five interceptions to go along with 93 combined tackles and 10 pass breakups.
An ATV accident sidelined McKinney for half of the 2022 season, but he returned to full form in 2023. He finished the year with 116 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Now, McKinney is hoping to put all of it together with a new team in the Packers. His versatile skill set allows him to make plays all over the field. That’s the perfect kind of safety to play for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in his defensive scheme.
New running back Josh Jacobs has some big shoes to fill in 2024. The Packers gave him a four-year, $48 million deal prior to cutting ties with longtime veteran Aaron Jones.
It’s a big deal, but only includes $12.5 million in guaranteed money. The big question is which version of Jacobs the Packers will be getting. He led the league in rushing in 2022, only to average a career-low 3.5 yards per carry the following season.
The Packers also have a rookie class that could feature multiple 2024 contributors. MarShawn Lloyd will likely serve as a change-of-pace back behind Jacobs. Meanwhile, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Javon Bullard could compete for starting roles. First-round pick Jordan Morgan could also be Green Bay’s starting left tackle as a rookie.
For a team that made a playoff run this past season, the Packers will need these new faces to quickly acclimated to Green Bay if the team is going to make a Super Bowl run in 2024.
Tyler Brooke has covered the NFL for Heavy.com since 2022, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. Formerly the editorial director of FanBuzz, his coverage has also been featured at SB Nation, Bleacher Report, FanSided and FanDuel. More about Tyler Brooke
The Green Bay Packers excused veteran defensive backs Xavier McKinney, Jaire Alexander and Keisean Nixon from mandatory minicamp, which began Tuesday and runs through Thursday. Coach Matt LaFleur said all three were allowed to miss minicamp after fulfilling their contractual obligations in terms of attendance during the offseason workout program.
“They were excused. The way I view minicamp, it’s an extension of OTAs,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “Those are three guys who have workout bonuses in their contracts. They fulfilled their requirements and did a really good job, and actually exceeded what they could have done.”
Most veteran contracts in Green Bay include some type of workout bonus tied to attendance during the offseason workout program. The Packers have enjoyed near perfect attendance from the roster during the program this offseason.
While mincamp is deemed as mandatory, all three defensive backs hit their attendance marks during OTAs and were given the week off by LaFleur.Alexander will earn $700,000 in a workout bonus. McKinney will earn $400,000, while Nixon will earn $200,000.
Former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney, who signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, met with the Packers media this past week and shared some thoughts about his time with the Giants, speaking glowingly of the franchise.
“I have a great relationship with the organization, with all the staff, with (general manager) Joe (Schoen), with (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabes, with (co-owner) Mr. (John) Mara. I wasn’t really sure what they were gonna do, but it played out, and I couldn’t tell you what was gonna happen,” the 24-year-old McKinney said.
The former second-round pick made his mark and hasn’t even reached his ceiling yet. He recorded 279 tackles, nine interceptions, 27 pass deflections, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during his time with the Giants. Last year, he had his best and most productive season as a pro, making it abundantly clear that he was looking to be paid like a top safety in the league.
The Giants, however, weren’t willing to break open the bank for McKinney, whose deal with the Packers averages out to $16.75 million per year.
McKinney hasn’t been shy about dropping hints about his true feelings about this last year with the Giants. He spoke of wanting to feel respected, and it was believed that he felt slighted when teammates Dexter Lawrence and Andrew Thomas received contract extensions and McKinney did not.
On Friday, McKinney posted what some might interpret as a slight toward the Giants’ not wanting him back at a premium price.
Regardless of how his post is interpreted, McKinney seemed sincere with his words toward his former teammates.
“I just want to shout out to the New York Giants, just for the four years we had. You know, they were special. Obviously, I went through a lot of ups and downs, but it’s the team and organization that is forever going to be in my heart. All love to them, and I’m glad to be here.”
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